Lead pencil



'March 27,1928. 1,664,058

l G. w. BRowN LEAQ PENCIL Filed March 2, 1925 i lavll/ll/l/l/l/l/l//l/l//a .K

1" 5 f 6 7 Invenaz:

Patented Mar. 27, 1928.

Gnoaenw. BROWN, or CAPE ELIZABETH, MAINE.

LEAD PENCIL.

Application filed March 2, 1,925. Serial No. 12,736.

My invention relates to lead-pencils, and

more especially to that variety whichserves a three-fold purpose,namely, marking, erasing and sharpening.

My object is to provide, at a reasonable cost, a practical marking instrument with attachments to perform the functions enumerated above, all mounted on the holder in a compact unit form.

To accomplish this I have discarded much of the complicated interior works found in 'many of the present day propelling lead pencils.

I have adopted a frictional lead retaining means to hold the lead firmly in the body or barrel of the pencil, thus eliminating all screws and threads or other expedients to serve as such, and utilize the central plunger as an expulsive means for both lead jand eraser. My Sharpener is a very simple affair and an essential and convenient acquisition to the pencil user. f

Other objects will be apparent from reading the description containedin the specification when taken in connection with the annexed drawings which exemplify one embodiment of my invention, and in which like charactersr of reference refer to similar parts throughout all the different views. In the drawings:

, Fig. 1 is an elevation of my pencil;

.Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation, taken on a Verticalcentral line through the clip;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the eraser holder and plunger tube;

. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of the forward end of the plunger tube;

. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the sharpener; j

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the, propelling plunger; j

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing the parts in positionY to expel the lead from the tube;

Fig. 9 isa fragmentary'sectional elevation showing the parts -in position .to propel or feed the rubber, out ofits container;

Fig. l0 is across section through the pencil showing the .clip .end resting on the flat of the plunger tube; l Y y f Fig. 11, the same as Fig. 10, but with the plunger tubeturned half way around, and

the tube; and

thejclip end resting on the round portion of v Fig. l2 is an alternative method of mount ing the clip end.

Referring to the Figs. l and 2, 1 is lthe body ofthe pencil, 2 is a collet or chuck tube inserted in the forward, counterbored end of the body. This tube may be secured in the body by any convenient means, as for instance, by the use of glue or other adhesive compounds. The interior bore, 2, of the chuck tube (2) from a spaced distance from the outer end backwardly, is tapered. The pencil body is bored, rearwardly of the chuck tube, as at l', to a size substantially the same as the straight part of the bore of the chuck'tube 2. y

Made to easily slide, butl with no slack, through the bore l of the body l,A is a plunger tube 3, the forwardv end 4 of which (see Fig. 5) is made tapering to fit the tapered bore of thepchuck. tube 2. Thev rearward end 5 of the chuck tube is'enlarged and within the enlargedy borey 6 is located an Veraser 7.

It will be noticed that the plunger tube 3 is flattened at 3', the Hat extending from the conical end 4 to the eraser closure 5. A scarf or slot is cut centrallyof this fiat and for theventire length of saineas at 7 extending through the wall of the tube into itsbore 8. This scarf is continued through the conical portion of the tube, but here it is made narrower. Thereis'also a scraf 9 diametrically opposite the scarf 7 extending from the Vextreme outer end of the tube rearwardly a spaced distance. This isto give the chuck end more resiliencyin gripping the lead.

Operating in thefbore 8 isy the lead l0, abutting on the rearward endof .which .is the propelling plunger 1l, which yis also reciprocable within the tube. On this plunger (l1) is a key l2fwhich.extendsthrough and beyond.; the scarf` and to'within a spaced distance ofV the interior 'wall' of the borel. l Y' y Y. Mounted on the body 1 is a clip 13, similar to the conventional type ofl pencil clip except that at the rearwarrdend ther-eis a bent over portion 14 Whichnor'rnally may rest on the {iat ofthe tube 3. Y v y f,

Should it become necessary to feed the lead forwardly, or .in other words propel lthe lead out of the pencil, the tube 3 is ipulled vout of the bore 1 ofv the body? suiiicientlyto allow the portion l of the clip to engage the: key l2, (see Fig. 8). This acts to force the plunger forwardly, in its relation to the `tube 3 and the lead is forced out from the forward end of the tube.

As has already been stated, the bore 6 provides a space for the eraser 7. As the latter wears away it must be forced out of the bore 6 to allow more of the rubber :to be` available for use. f

The operation of feeding the rubber from its receptacle is performed in the following manner. By observing the Figs. 8 and 10 it will be seen that the square end of the bent over part 14 rests lightly on the flat 3 at the rear of the key 12. The first move is to oscillate the tube 3 one half turn. This brings the part 14 over onto the round portion of the tubev 3 (see Fig. 11). In this position the tube 3 may be partially withdrawn f rom the bore. 1;, or until the key 12 has passed to the rear of the part 14. The tube is then oscillated back so that the part 14 again rests on the flat 3, but in advance of the key 12 (see Fig. 9). It will be apparent that a. movement of the tube 3 forwardly, as indicated by the arrow, will permit the rearward end of the plunger 11 to abut on the eraser 7 and` cause it to be forced out of its receptacle 5.

If the next requirement is to feed more lead, the tube 3 may again be oscillated and advanced to suchV a position as to bring the key 12 forwardly of the part 14, and when these two members are again in line a simple movement of the tube rearwardly will advance the lead and extrude more of it from the tube.

In the construction and operation of the parts as just described the tension of that portion of the clip 13 which supports the part 14 is toward the axis of the pencil. In Fig. 12 I have illustrated an alternative design for this element. In this latter case the tension is away from the axis of the pencil and the end ofv part14 is out of contact with the tube 3 and even with the key 12, so that the tube may be withdrawn, advanced or oscillated without interference of the parts 12 and 14, one with the other. But a slight pressure of the linger or thumb on the clip end will bring the part'14 into contact with the key 12,-either in'a'dvance or in arrear of it,'and the actuation of the parts carried on similarly to that described in a preceding paragraph. n j i It is quite important that an eraser should be covered, while not in use, to prevent its becoming soiled and subsequently smearing the work vto which it may be applied. I have provided for this by the use of a sleeve 15`which slides over the part 5 and may be locked as against withdrawal by any suitable means, as for instance the well known bayonet lock, as seen at 16,-an indentation 17 being made in the sleeve 15 which enters .the open end of the slot 16, advances to the off-set portion and by a slight turn of the sleeve lands in the locked position. y Y i It might be well to state at this time that the proper method to pursue in operating the chuck is to first give the sleeve 3 a slight ltwist to the right which releases the hold of ltaper fit on the chuck but does' not release the bayonet lock on the members 5 and 15. .The hold ofthe chuck being broken, the tube 3 may easily be withdrawn from the body the properl amount. Should the use of the eraser become necessary the sleeve 15 should be turned to the left sufficienti to bring the indentation 17 out of theofiset portion of the lock slot, after which the sleeve may be pulled directly olf the men'iber 5, exposing the eraser. It is essential, at times, to have a tine point on the lead to be able to execute certain particular work. I have incorporated in my pencil a sharpening device of simple design and marked efliciency, and thisI have illustrated in Fig. 6 of my drawings. ItY

consists o-f a hardened steel plug 18 cut by a multiplicity of radial scarfs 18 leaving' sharp cutting edges 'for the pointing of the lead.l Thesescarfs are V shape with the apex at the point of the lead as itis inserted in the Sharpener. This member. may be secured in the end of the sleeve 15 by a press fit, or otherwise suitably fixed the-rein. To operate the Sharpener the sleeve 15 is rel moved from the part 5 vand held in one hand while the othery grasps the body of the pencil and rotates thelead in the Sharpener while the former is rigidly held in the chuck vof the pencil.V l K Y As previously stated, I have endeavored to do away, in so far as possible to do so,

with all positively secured elements in the.

make Aup of Vmy pencil. The chuck is whol-`V` ly dependent on frictionk towbind the lead in Vthe pencil, but the tapered fit on the chuck is more than sufficient forthis purpose; the clipl is held to the body bythe same means, and gripping is an inherent characteristic of these particular devices; the bayonet locked sleeve, while positively held while in the locked position and with respect to certain movements of the sleeve,

is, nevertheless, dependent on the resilient or springlike quality of' the split tubular member 5, which is slightlyexpanded on its outer endfor this purpose, tov prevent accidental withdrawal should the bayonet lock become released. n i f In' the illustrations and description Vof the several parte I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention. [It is apparent that slight l,deviations from the exact mechanicalconstruction as 'herein diS- closed might be possible without departing `from thespirit and intent ofthe invention. I shall, therefore, feel at liberty to make such changes as seem to me desirable, mais f in and for a. spaced distance along the bore of said body member, and having. a tapered interior converging t-owardits outer end, a tube reciprocable Within said fixed tube and having a straight bore therethrough, an ex-l teriorly pointed end to fit the tapered interior of the said fixed tube, a lateral scarf extending from the end of the tapered portion to Within a spaced dist-ance of the opposite end of said tube'and an auxiliary scarf diametrically opposite the first mentioned scarf Jfor a spaced distance from the outer end of said tapered port-ion, a flattened portion on one side of said reciprocable tube,

a plunger operable longitudinally of and l within said reciprocable tube, a key fixed on said plunger and adapted to extend through and beyond the longer of the two said scarfs, a clip mounted on the exterior of the said body member, a bent over portion on said clip near the rearward end of said body and pointing inwardly, and means for propelling said lead from said pencil by the movement of said reciprocabile tube rearwardly, co-acting with said bent over portion of said clip and said key on said plunger, said key being in advance of said bent over portion.

2. In a propelling lead pencil, consisting of a body member having a central bore therein, a split tube reciprocable within said bore of said body member, and having anv externally tapered end, means for compressing the tapered end of said split tube whereby the bore of same may become contracted,

a plunger, reciprocaible Within said split Y tube, a key on saidplunger, a clip mounted on said body member, a projection on said clip pointing inwardly, an enlarged rear-V ward endv on vsaid reciprocable split tube, having a receptacle therein for an eraser, said receptacle being in direct communica# tion with the bore of said split tube, an

eraser, and means for expelling said eraser fromits receptacle by the movement of said split tube forwardly, co-acting with said bent over portion on said clip and said keyy on said plunger, said key being in arrear of said bent over portion.

3. In a propelling lead pencil, consisting of a body member, having a central bore therein, a split tube reciprocable within said bore, a flattenedl side on said split tube,a lead within said split tube, means to contract, dametrically, the outer end of said split tube' whereby the lead may be gripped and said tube held against' longitudinal movement within said body member, a plunger sli'dable Within said split tube, a key on said plunger extending through and projecting beyond the scart1 on said split tube, a projection on said body extending a spaced distance into the bore of the same, means to alternately position said key in advance of and in arrear of the saidvproj ection, whereby the oscillation of said split 

